‘Lucky to play against him’ – Juventus pay tribute to Victor Osimhen before Galatasaray showdown

Juventus’ preparations for their Champions League knockout play-off with Galatasaray have begun with a clear note of caution, Soccernet.ng reports.

This is as club director Giorgio Chiellini and head coach Luciano Spalletti openly acknowledged the threat posed by Victor Osimhen and the Turkish champions.

Drawn together in Nyon, the Italian giants know that their path to the last 16 runs through Istanbul and Turin and through a striker both men understand all too well.

For Spalletti, the tie brings a reunion with a player who defined one of the finest chapters of his managerial career.

Osimhen was the spearhead of Napoli’s 2022-23 Serie A title under the Tuscan coach, and his blend of pace, power and relentlessness still commands deep respect in Italy. Chiellini, now watching from the directors’ box rather than the back line, echoed that sentiment by stressing Juventus’ awareness of Galatasaray’s quality and the individual danger up front.

Galatasaray finished the league phase strongly enough to earn a play-off place, while Juventus will rely on experience and control over two legs. Yet both Chiellini and Spalletti were keen to underline that the tie is far from straightforward, particularly with the second leg in Turin offering no room for complacency after the cauldron of Istanbul.

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Juventus vs Galatasaray: Reunion and the Osimhen factor

Chiellini was careful to frame Galatasaray as more than a one-man team, even while conceding that Osimhen remains the most obvious focal point.

On the Turkish champions, Chiellini told Sky Sports as per Tribuna: “It’s a strong team with great individuals, really good players. We’ll play the second leg at home, so it doesn’t end in Istanbul.

“But we have to go to that stadium and play our game, expose their weaknesses, which they do have, but also limit the big potential and individual quality they have not just upfront. We all know Victor Osimhen well, but there are other important players too.”

Chiellini, one of the finest defenders of his generation, was asked whether he would have relished facing the Nigerian striker in his prime. His reply mixed humour with admiration.

“At one time, I would have liked to mark him, yes, but today I wouldn’t last two minutes,” Chiellini admitted.

“I’ve been lucky to play against him a couple of times in my career, but it was too late for me, so let’s say my physical stats were limited against someone like Osimhen. But Galatasaray is not only him; there are many important players. The Turkish league is investing heavily, and they’re bringing in several high-level profiles. It will be a fascinating double challenge.”

Asked whether Juventus had ever been close to signing Osimhen, Chiellini played down any suggestion of a missed opportunity.

“Osimhen? If you mean a player of that calibre might be of interest, there’s no doubt, but realistically there’s never been anything more than that.”

Speaking about Osimhen, manager Spalletti is convinced that the Nigerian forward is the kind of steiker who can run a defense on his own.

“When he's bursting forward, he can run 100 meters in 11 seconds,” Spalletti recalled.

Osimhen arrives in the tie in form once again, with seven goals in 13 Turkish Super Lig appearances and six in six Champions League matches this season.

Galatasaray lead the domestic table with 46 points from 19 games, six clear of Fenerbahce, while their European campaign has included eye-catching wins over Liverpool, Bodo/Glimt and Ajax.